Hersbruck is located in the Hersbrucker Alb in the Nuremberg region. The small town is a popular vacation area.
Here you have a good connection by train in the direction of Nuremberg to experience the lively life of the city. Life in Hersbruck is a bit quieter and more relaxing and the ideal starting point for hikes and bike tours in the beautiful Franconian countryside.
City history
The Bergen Monastery near Neuburg on the Danube was founded in 976. In the monastery chronicles from the 14th century it is stated that the property “Herßprunck und darum” belonged to the foundation. Therefore, it can be assumed that a settlement could have already been there at that time. It is certain that in the 11th and 12th centuries there was a monastery convent and at times also a monastery in Hersbruck.
The affiliation of the city constantly changes back and forth over the centuries. At first the town belonged to the bishopric of Bamberg with a wide variety of feudal lords, then the House of Wittelsbach ruled, Charles the IV ruled here … Later wars and the plague affected life in the town, houses were destroyed and many Hersbruck citizens died.
From 1806 Hersbruck became a part of the newly created Kingdom of Bavaria. From the middle of the 19th century, with the connection to the railroad network, the economic upswing of the town began. New residential areas were built, industrial enterprises and hop stores were founded, the municipal street lighting and the water supply by water pipes were advanced.
Sights in Hersbruck
The old town of Hersbruck can be wonderfully explored on foot. Actually, it is not very large in terms of area, but if you follow the small, often winding alleys between the houses, the distances seem surprisingly long.
Hersbruck castle
If you walk up a rather steep path from the bank of the Pegnitz, you come to Hersbruck Castle. This was built before the year 1000 as a castle, presumably by monastery bailiffs to protect the Pegnitz bridge. However, more exact details are not known.
Around 1360, Emperor Charles IV acquired the land and had a house built for his steward. Around 1504, the Free Imperial City of Nuremberg owned it. They had the building demolished and used the stones of the tower for the lining of the moat. On the old foundation walls, a two-story building with a hipped roof was erected, which was inhabited by a patrician family.
Later, towers and side wings of the castle complex were built, around 1838 also a prison. At that time the castle was used as a district court.
Today, the Hersbruck Castle houses the district court.
German Shepherd Museum
The German Shepherd Museum is located in a 16th century farmhouse in the middle of the old town of Hersbruck. The museum has existed since 1933 and not only the exhibitions, but also the listed building ensemble with courtyard, barn and main house is worth seeing.
Already when entering the courtyard through the large entrance gate, the visitor’s attention is drawn to the theme of the museum. On the large wooden gate there is a carving depicting a shepherd.
Those who have not yet dealt with the topic of shepherd culture should first watch a film of about 10 minutes in the barn. The film is from 1959 and shows how the shepherds lived and worked in Franconia. The film was made in Hersbruck and if you look closely, you can see some distinctive places in the city.After the film I had a little background knowledge to better understand the permanent exhibition.
In Middle Franconia, the cattle herder was very important in rural areas until the middle of the 20th century. The communities hired him to take care of the cows. In the summer months, he picked up the animals in the villages, brought them to the Hutanger (a pasture usually surrounded by oaks) and also led them back to the villages. Each shepherd made colorful painted bows of walnut wood for the animals, which the owners of the animals had to rent. On the bell bows hung bells made by the shepherd. These produced a harmonious sound that marked the assignment of the animals to the herd. The animals were called together by the shepherd with the help of special instruments (horns, trumpets, long horn,..) and a melody typical for him.
In the German Shepherd Museum you can see about 400 of the colorfully painted wooden bell bows, many bells and shepherd instruments. The shepherds’ clothing and other important work utensils are also on display. In addition, there is also a look at the world shepherding. In another area of the exhibition, the theme is presented interactively. Especially for groups of children, this presentation makes the topic more tangible.
Another exhibition area shows a collection of town history. From historical fire extinguishing to children’s toys, some interesting exhibits have found their way into the museum. I particularly liked the “Leder-Soergel”. After the traditional leather store in the city was closed, the store was rebuilt true to the original in the museum. Here you can not only admire the historical furnishings, but also see products from the company’s wide range of production. I would have loved to buy the orange school bag immediately and use it as a bag in the future.
Address:
Eisenhüttlein 7
91217 Hersbruck
Opening hours:
Friday – Sunday: 10 – 16 h
Admission fees:
Adults: 4,.€
About the city walls, gates and towers in Hersbruck
There are still some remains of the old city wall, which once protected the present old town. If you follow the wall path, you can even discover a covered battlements. What I find particularly interesting is why this particular piece of the city wall has been preserved. The ropemakers, who manufactured their goods nearby, needed a place where the stretched ropes could dry. Under the covered walkway, they could easily stretch their ropes without disturbing anyone.
Well preserved are still the city gates, through which one could once enter Hersbruck. The Nuremberg Gate was built in 1444 at the Upper Market. The Hohenstadt Gate (Spitaltor) was built around 1425 and renewed in the 17th century. It is located right next to the Bürgerspital St.Elisabeth, whose outer front formed a part of the city wall. Towards the Pegnitz there is the Water Gate, which was rebuilt in 1601/02. Right next to the bridge is the pavement toll house, where everyone who entered the city had to pay for the use of paved roads and the maintenance of the pavement.
The Goose or Swallow Tower does not belong to the city fortification, even if its location suggests it. This turn, originally built as a round tower, dates back to the 15th century. With the help of wooden pipes, spring water from the Steinberg was brought to this tower until 1895, and from there it was distributed to the fountains in the town. In 1801, the tower was reduced in size and given a square casing.
Another interesting tower is the Fraichturm. It was used as a prison. On the upper floor there was an official apartment for the police and the executioner’s room, which was used by the executioner, who traveled from Nuremberg. Not far away there was also the gravedigger’s house.
Hersbruck city church
I was very surprised by the city church in Hersbruck. Although the opening time was actually already over, we were kindly not only unlocked the door, but also turned on the light.
The choir is covered by a stuccoed ribbed vault. Especially beautiful is the central window, which dates from about 1373 and was made of Bohemian glass.
The altar that stands in the church today was housed in another place for 50 years. When the church was renovated in 1737/38, the Hersbruck altar was exchanged for an oversized baroque altar. The “old” altar was first placed in the town hall and later in the cemetery church. From there, it and the palm tree standing next to it went on permanent loan to the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg. During the Second World War, the art treasures there were moved to Plassenburg near Kulmbach. Now, after extensive restoration work, one of the most important late medieval altars in Franconia has returned to its home church.
Prager Straße
The Prager Straße leads through Hersbruck. It is a small section of the “Golden Road”, which led from Prague to Nuremberg.
Since about 1513, merchants have used this road as a land connection between the two major trading cities of Prague and Nuremberg. Charles IV, for example, had ensured that this connection was strengthened and expanded through clever land purchases and diplomacy. He was thus able to travel on his own land without paying customs duties. Thus, the route was precisely defined and also led through Hersbruck. The connection was protected by numerous castles and manor houses.
Charles himself traveled 52 times on this road and decreed that the Bohemian kings should use this road for their journeys to the imperial diets and imperial elections.
Of course, the road also had great economic importance. Goods such as wax, spices, copper, ham, cloth, grain,… were transported on it. Later, the German Hanseatic League also used this route.
If you walk along Prager Straße in Hersbruck, you will discover plates embedded in the ground. On these are written the goods that were transported through the city.
Hotel and restaurant tip in Hersbruck
The Gasthof Restaurant “Café Bauer” is located in the heart of the old town. The family-run 3-star hotel is ideal as a starting point for a relaxing break in the Nuremberg region.
Since 1955 the house has been run by the family. Over time, they expanded the business to include a restaurant and set up guest rooms. Today the former pastry store is a cozy farmhouse parlor and the café is a restaurant.
Today, Michael Bauer runs the restaurant and offers regional dishes with creative and modern ideas. It is important to the chef to obtain as many ingredients as possible from regional producers and to process them gently. We were able to convince ourselves of the quality of the cuisine in the evening. I ate a Schäufele burger. The meat was very tender and I did not have to do without the crispy rind.
This was accompanied by a Hersbrucker Bürgerbräu, a drinkable lager on tap. Later, I tried a dark Landbier from the Veldensteiner brewery.
The hotel has 2 apartments, 11 double and 3 single rooms. There are also two special certified allergy rooms. The rooms are furnished with solid light wooden furniture, have a modern bathroom with a shower. There is free wifi reception in the whole house.
I slept very well and the morning breakfast offer completely fulfilled my wishes. Here, too, they pay attention to regionality with most of the food.
The restaurant opening hours can be found on the website of the provider.
Hersbruck has two train stations, one on the left bank of the Pegnitz River and one on the right bank. The station on the left of the Pegnitz is on the Nuremberg-Schwandorf railroad line. The S-Bahn line S1 from Nuremberg also stops there. The station to the right of the Pegnitz lies on the Nuremberg – Cheb (Czech Republic) railroad line and is a stop for regional express trains.
If you travel by car, you can reach the city via the A 9 freeway and the B 14 trunk road.
The stay in Hersbruck took place within the framework of a press trip with Frankentourismus and noble kommunikation.
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